Characteristics of the stomach and of H pylori consistent with indigenous colonisation
| The stomach contains multiple micro niches |
| H pylori is acquired in early childhood |
| Substantial numbers of H pylori colonise the stomach |
| There is notable diversity within Helicobacter species in humans |
| H pylori populations remain stable in the stomach for decades |
| Cocolonisation with differentHelicobacter strains and/or with clonal variants leads to both competition and at least to genetic exchange |
| A symbiotic relationship between H pylori and humans has been postulated |